TUESDAY, JULY 15th. The 65th day of CPT Patti's deployment.

Today marks the beginning of what the Iraqis call "Furnace Days." Furnace days will continue from today until September 15th (CPT Patti's birthday!).

Not surprisingly Furnace Days get their name from being the period of peak temperatures in a country where non-peak temperatures are extreme to us.

Forecast for today in Baghdad is 112 degrees. That is up to 115 by the weekend.

Please send anything you can think of to help her stay cool.